Racing Bulls Explains Why Liam Lawson Was Chosen Over Yuki Tsunoda for 2026

Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane has detailed why Liam Lawson was selected over Yuki Tsunoda for the team's 2026 seat, citing Lawson's exceptional performance in challenging situations as the key factor in the decision.

Why it matters:

• The decision to promote Lawson to a full-time F1 race seat for 2026 over the more experienced Tsunoda signals Racing Bulls' long-term vision and belief in Lawson's raw talent and potential.
• This move has significant implications for both drivers' careers and could reshape the driver market as other teams evaluate their options for the future.
• For Red Bull, this ensures they retain a highly-rated young talent within their system, maintaining a strong pipeline for their senior team.

The Details:

• Alan Permane lauded Liam Lawson's talent, stating, "Liam is talented, he's very talented, and my mission will be to get him to operate at the level he can when everything is working for him."
• Permane highlighted Lawson's ability to excel under pressure, specifically mentioning his performances in "some of the most difficult situations we've had this year, such as Vegas Qualifying or Baku Qualifying."
• Lawson's strong race performances also played a crucial role in securing his spot.
• Driver Futures: While Lawson will continue with Racing Bulls in 2026, Yuki Tsunoda will transition into a reserve driver role for Red Bull Racing.
  • This means Tsunoda will not have a full-time F1 race seat but will remain connected to the Red Bull family, potentially exploring other racing series.

Between the lines:

This decision reflects Red Bull's long-standing strategy of nurturing and promoting talent from within their junior driver program. Lawson's impressive stand-in performances and his proven ability to deliver under pressure have clearly made a strong case for his promotion. While Tsunoda's F1 journey as a full-time driver seems to be on hold, his reserve role keeps him in the F1 paddock and offers a potential pathway back, should opportunities arise.

What's next:

The focus will now shift to how Lawson prepares for his full-time F1 debut in 2026 and how Tsunoda adapts to his new role while potentially pursuing racing opportunities outside of F1. Both drivers will be closely watched as the sport heads towards new regulations, making driver stability and performance crucial for team success.